Auxiliary motion detector for video capture

ABSTRACT

Techniques are generally described for controlling a camera to capture video based on one or more auxiliary motion sensors. First data indicative of motion may be received from a first motion sensor at a camera. In some examples, the first motion sensor may have a first field-of-view. Second data indicative of motion may be received from a second motion sensor at the camera device. In some examples, the second motion sensor may have a second field-of-view different than the first field-of-view. A determination may be made that the first data temporally corresponds to the second data. In some examples, an image sensor of the camera may capture first image data in response to the first data indicative of motion and the second data indicative of motion.

BACKGROUND

Security systems may use one or more cameras to capture video data ofareas of interest. For example, video security cameras may be positionedso as to surveil an entryway into a secure area such as a bank vault oran entrance to a private residence. Security camera systems sometimesuse motion detection to initiate video capture and/or video streaming toone or more other devices. For example, upon detection of motion invideo data, a camera may be configured to capture and send a live feedof video from the camera to a cloud-based server system, a centralcomputing device, and/or to a mobile application executing on a mobilephone. In other examples, upon detection of motion in video data, acamera may begin storing captured video data in a data storagerepository. In various examples, cameras may include infrared lightsources in order to capture image data and/or video data in low lightconditions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a building monitored by a camera devicewith auxiliary motions sensors, in accordance with various aspects ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 2 depicts fields-of-view of a camera device and an auxiliary motionsensor, in accordance with various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example architecture of a computingdevice that may be used in accordance with various aspects of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 4 depicts an example process that may be used to determine whetherto initiate capture of video data, image data, and/or audio data, inaccordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 depicts another example process that may be used to determinewhether to initiate capture of video data, image data, and/or audiodata, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 depicts an example process that may be used to control ashort-range wireless communication radio of a camera device, inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings which illustrate several embodiments of the present invention.It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and mechanical,compositional, structural, electrical operational changes may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.The following detailed description is not to be taken in a limitingsense, and the scope of the embodiments of the present invention isdefined only by the claims of the issued patent.

In various examples, a location such as an office building, home,outdoor space, and/or any other physical location or combination ofphysical locations may be monitored by one or more camera devices of asecurity system or other type of camera system. In various examples,camera devices may be battery-powered for ease of installation and toavoid unsightly power cords. In various other examples, camera devicesmay be powered through a wired interface (e.g., through a wall socket).In at least some examples, camera devices may include motion sensors todetect motion. In some examples, upon detection of motion, a cameradevice may begin capturing and/or streaming video to one or more otherdevices (e.g., video processing device 140) for storage, display, and/orprocessing. Advantageously, waiting until motion is detected prior tocapturing and/or streaming image data and/or video data may prolongbattery life (and minimize power consumption) by capturing video onlywhen movement is detected. In many cases, and particularly in asurveillance context, video segments that do not depict movement may notbe of sufficient interest to a user of the camera system to warrantcontinuous video capture and/or streaming, particularly given thatcontinuous video capture results in a quicker consumption of batterypower and more frequent battery replacement. In various examples, videodata may refer to one or more sequential frames of image data.

In some examples, insignificant motion may trigger a motion sensor of acamera device, which may, in turn, cause the camera device to begincapturing and/or streaming video even though the video may not be ofinterest to a user. Accordingly, it may be beneficial to limit thenumber of such “false positives” where insignificant motion results invideo capture and/or streaming, which, in turn, may lead to increasedpower consumption and depletion of battery power. For example, anoutdoor camera device may include a motion sensor with a “field-of-view”(e.g., the area monitored by the motion sensor) that includes a treeoutside of a user's home. In the example, the motion sensor may betriggered each time that the wind blows and the leaves of the tree arerustled. The triggering of the motion sensor may, in turn, cause thecamera device to capture and/or stream video. In another example, amotion sensor may be triggered each time a pet moves within thefield-of-view (FOV) of the motion sensor. In another example, a motionsensor may be triggered by cloud movement and sunlight changes due topassing clouds. Various systems and techniques described herein may beeffective to prevent triggering of video capture and/or streaming due toinconsequential motion that is not likely to be of interest to a user.

In various examples, camera devices may include and/or be configured incommunication with passive infrared (PIR) sensors effective to detectmotion in an environment monitored by the PIR sensor and/or by thecamera devices. PIR sensors detect infrared (IR) radiation emitted byobjects within the PIR sensors' fields-of-view. In some examples, thePIR sensors may be referred to herein as “PIR motion detectors” and “PIRmotion sensors”. In various examples, a PIR sensor may be effective todetermine when an object passes through a PIR sensor's field-of-view bydetermining differential changes in the IR detected by the PIR sensor.PIR sensors often include two sensor “halves” and/or multiple sensorregions. A multi-facet lens breaks light received from a scene intomultiple regions and projects these regions on to the different halvesor regions of the sensor. The sensor integrates the black body radiationdetected in the two halves (or in the multiple regions, depending on thesensor) and determines the differential change. The differential changeis the difference in detected radiation between the two sensor halves(or between the different regions). If the differential changes causedby an IR-radiating object entering the field-of-view (resulting in apositive differential change in detected IR) and/or leaving thefield-of-view (resulting in a negative differential change in detectedIR) of the PIR sensor are above a threshold value (typically a tunablethreshold referred to as the “sensitivity” of the PIR sensor), the PIRsensor may output a signal indicating that motion has been detected. PIRsensors may be passive in the sense that they may not include any IRlight source and may detect radiation emitted from objects within thesensor's field-of-view without subjecting such objects to IR lightprojected by the sensor. Accordingly, PIR sensors consume relativelylittle power when in use.

In various examples, if motion is detected in an environment monitoredby a motion sensor such as a PIR sensor, the triggered motion sensor maysend a signal to one or more camera devices associated with the motionsensor. The signal may be effective to cause the camera device(s) tobegin capturing image data and/or video data. For example, a PIR sensorand a camera device may be situated in a particular room of a building.If the PIR sensor is triggered (e.g., due to a human walking through theroom), the PIR sensor may send a signal to the camera device indicatingthat motion has been detected by the PIR sensor. In response to receiptof the signal from the PIR sensor, the camera may be configured to begincapturing video. In various examples, the camera device may include awireless and/or a wired transmitter and may send the captured video(e.g., may “stream” the video) to one or more other devices forplayback, processing, and/or storage. For example, the camera device maystream the video to a mobile device of a user associated with thebuilding and/or the room of the building. In some other examples, thecamera device may send the video to a central processing device that maybe effective to take one or more actions such as storing the video datain one or more memories, processing the video data, sending the videodata to one or more other devices, and/or sending an indication or alertindicating that motion has been detected in the environment monitored bythe camera device and/or providing optional access to video captured bythe camera device. In various examples, the central processing devicemay be located within the same building or grouping of buildings as thecamera device(s); however, in some other examples, the centralprocessing device may be remotely located from the camera device(s) andmay communicate with the camera device(s) over a wide area network (WAN)such as the Internet.

In at least some examples, motion sensors, such as PIR sensor(s), may beintegrated into a housing of the camera device(s). In various examples,integrated PIR sensors may be referred to as primary PIR sensors, ormore generally, primary motion sensors. However, in other examples,motion sensors may be separate from the camera device(s) and maycommunicate with the camera device(s) and/or with a central processingdevice configured in communication with the camera(s) using a wiredand/or a wireless communication technology. For example, the PIRsensor(s) may communicate with the camera device(s) and/or with acentral processing device via a short-range communication protocol suchas Bluetooth® or Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE). In various other examples,the PIR sensor(s) may communicate with the camera device(s) and/or witha central processing device using a wireless local area network (WLAN)using, for example, a version of the IEEE 802.11 standard.

In at least some examples, the PIR sensor(s) and/or the camera device(s)may be battery powered. However, in some examples, the PIR sensor(s)and/or the camera device(s) may be battery powered and/or powered usinga wired connection to a power source (e.g., a wall socket). In variousexamples, a central processing device (or multiple central processingdevices) may be effective to communicate with the camera device(s) usinga wired and/or wireless connection. For example, the central processingdevice may communicate with the camera device(s) using a wirelessnetwork such as a WLAN via the 900 MHz band. In some examples, thecentral processing device and/or the camera devices may be effective toreceive user requests (e.g., from a user mobile device and/or from acompanion application on a user mobile device) to access image dataand/or video data that is accessible via the central processing deviceand/or to cause one or more camera devices to begin capturing and/orstreaming video. For example, the central processing device may receivea request from a mobile device (e.g., a mobile device authenticated tothe central processing device) for particular video data captured by aparticular camera device at a particular time. In the example, thecentral processing device may stream the video to the authenticatedmobile device. In some other examples, an authenticated mobile devicemay request a live video feed from one or more camera device(s). In theexample, the central processing device may be effective to control therelevant camera device(s) to begin capturing video data. The centralprocessing device may be effective to have the relevant camera device(s)stream the video data to the requesting mobile device. In otherembodiments, the relevant camera device(s) may send the video data tothe central processing device which may, in turn, stream the video tothe requesting mobile device (after video processing, for example). Inat least some examples, the central processing device may be powered bya wired connection to a wall outlet or other power source. In otherexamples, an authenticated mobile device may communicate directly withthe one or more camera devices.

In accordance with various systems and techniques described herein, oneor more auxiliary motion sensors may be used to determine whether motiondetected in the physical environment is likely to be of interest to auser or, conversely, whether motion is likely to be inconsequential andshould therefore be ignored. In various examples, if a motion sensorintegrated within the housing of a camera device detects motion, but anauxiliary motion sensor monitoring the same general area of theenvironment as the camera device—albeit from a differentfield-of-view—does not detect motion, a determination may be made thatthe triggering event is inconsequential and the camera device may notbegin capturing video. In some examples, multiple auxiliary motionsensors may be used. A user of the various camera systems describedherein may configure a sensitivity of the group of auxiliary motionsensors by, for example, selecting a number of auxiliary motion sensorsto be triggered prior to capturing video. The auxiliary motion sensorsmay communicate using a time-synchronized wireless network. When anauxiliary motion sensor detects motion, the auxiliary motion sensor maytransmit a signal indicating that motion has been detected. In someexamples, the signal may further comprise a timestamp, indicating a timeand/or a timeframe at which the motion was detected. The camera devicemay be effective to determine that the motion detected by the one ormore auxiliary sensors corresponds to motion detected by the integratedmotion sensor based on timestamp data. For example, the camera devicemay determine (e.g., using the timestamp) that the motion event wasclosely time-related to motion events detected by one or more othermotion sensors (e.g., other auxiliary motion sensors and/or integratedmotion sensors of the camera device). The camera device may beconfigured to initiate video data, image data, and/or audio data capturein response to detection of the closely time-related motion by theauxiliary motion sensor and the one or more other motion sensors. Invarious examples, the camera device may initiate image data captureand/or video data capture by activating an image sensor of the cameradevice. Similarly, in various examples, the camera device may initiateaudio data capture by activation of audio electronics of the cameradevice. Prior to initiation of image data capture and/or video datacapture, an inactive state of the motion sensor (e.g., a stand by mode,low power mode, or powered off mode) may be maintained until such timeas a processor of the camera device activates the image sensor tocapture image data and/or video data. When activated to capture imagedata and/or video data, the image sensor may consume more power relativeto the inactive state.

Additionally, in some examples, first motion sensor(s) (or group ofmotion sensors) having a first field-of-view (or fields-of-view) maytrigger video, image, and/or audio capture at a first time (e.g., afirst time of day) and a second motion sensor (or group of motionsensors) having a second field-of-view (or fields-of-view) may triggervideo, image, and/or audio capture at a second time (e.g., a second timeof day). For example, a first PIR sensor positioned with a firstfield-of-view may be used to trigger video capture during the morninghours when the sun is in a first position. Later in the day, when thesun is in a second position, a second PIR sensor with a differentfield-of-view relative to the first PIR sensor may be used to triggervideo capture. Additionally, one or more groups of motion sensors may beconfigured to trigger video, audio, and/or image data capture. Thegroups of one or more motion sensors used to trigger motion may beconfigurable by a user and/or based on device settings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a building 100 (e.g., a residentialbuilding) with a camera device 120 installed in a front door 110 of thebuilding 100. In the example of FIG. 1, the camera device 120 may bepositioned so as to have a field-of-view that depicts a walkway leadingto front door 110 as well as a front porch so that the camera device 120may capture image data and/or video data of persons approaching thefront door 110. In the example of FIG. 1, camera device 120 may bebattery-powered. Additionally, camera device 120 may comprise a motionsensor (e.g., a PIR sensor or other motion sensor). The motion sensor ofcamera device 120 may have a field-of-view that is approximatelyequivalent to the field-of-view of the image sensor of camera device120. Accordingly, the motion sensor may detect motion along the porch,walkway, and in the front yard of building 100.

If camera device 120 were configured such that detection of motion bythe integrated motion sensor alone triggered video capture and/or imagecapture, camera device 120 may capture and/or stream a significantamount of inconsequential image and/or video data resulting frominconsequential motion detected by the integrated motion sensor. Forexample, if the integrated motion sensor is a PIR sensor, the PIR sensormay be triggered by sunlight filtering through the leaves of tree 135 asthe tree blows in the wind. Additionally, as camera device 120 and theintegrated PIR sensor face a street, the PIR sensor may be triggered byeach passing vehicle on the street. Accordingly, the battery of cameradevice 120 may be drained at an increased rate due to video capture ofinconsequential movement.

In various examples, camera device 120 may be positioned inside building100 to monitor a portion of the interior of building 100. In suchexamples, if camera device 120 were configured such that detection ofmotion by an integrated motion sensor with a field-of-view that issubstantially (e.g., within +/−5°, 10° or some other amount) alignedwith the field-of-view of the image sensor was effective to triggervideo capture and/or image capture, camera device 120 may capture and/orstream a significant amount of inconsequential image and/or video data.For example, movement of fans, pets, curtains blowing in the wind,changes in lighting, etc., may trigger the motion sensor. Accordingly, abattery of camera device 120 may be drained at a relatively rapid rateand may require frequent replacement. Additionally, unwanted and/oruninteresting video and/or image data may be sent to a user of cameradevice 120 resulting from the triggering of the motion sensor.Additionally, numerous alerts and/or notifications may be sent to a userof camera device 120 related to the detected motion. A user may becomeannoyed and/or desensitized through the receipt of a large number ofnotifications and/or results related to uninteresting motion (e.g., petmovement, lighting changes, etc.). Accordingly, in various examples, itmay be desirable to limit video and/or image data capture to instanceswhere motion that is likely to be of interest to a user is presentwithin the field-of-view of the image sensor. Additionally, limitingvideo and/or image capture and/or video streaming to such instances maysignificantly prolong battery life and reduce power consumption. In someexamples, battery-powered cameras designed and/or operating inaccordance with the various techniques described herein may have batterylives of upwards of 2+ years, while battery-powered cameras that streamand/or capture video data upon all detected motion may have batterylives on the order of weeks to months.

Accordingly, in some examples, one or more auxiliary motion sensors maybe used to monitor an area of interest for motion. For example, in FIG.1, auxiliary motion sensors 122 a and 122 b are shown. Although FIG. 1depicts two auxiliary motion sensors, more or fewer auxiliary motionsensors may be used in accordance with the various embodiments describedherein. In the example of FIG. 1, the auxiliary motion sensor 122 aand/or 122 b may be PIR sensors, although any other type of motionsensor may be used in accordance with the present disclosure.Additionally, in at least some examples, auxiliary motion sensors 122 aand/or 122 b may be integrated within camera devices.

Auxiliary motion sensors 122 a and/or 122 b may be positioned so as tohave a field-of-view that at least partially overlaps with afield-of-view of the image sensor of camera device 120. In the exampledepicted in FIG. 1, the image sensor of camera device 120 may have afield-of-view that includes the front porch of building 100. Similarly,auxiliary sensors 122 a and 122 b may have fields-of-view that includethe front porch of building 100. However, a central axis of thefield-of-view of auxiliary motion sensors 122 a and/or 122 b may differfrom a central axis of the field-of-view of the image sensor of cameradevice 120. In various examples, a “central axis” may refer to anoptical axis of a lens of a camera device and/or a motion sensor. In theexample depiction in FIG. 1, the central axis 170 c of the field-of-viewof image sensor of camera device 120 is approximately orthogonal to thecentral axis 170 a of the field-of-view of auxiliary motion sensor 122a. Further, in the example depiction in FIG. 1, the central axis 170 bof the field-of-view of auxiliary motion sensor 122 b is at anapproximately 135° angle with respect to the central axis 170 c of theimage sensor of camera device 120. Additionally, in the example of FIG.1, auxiliary sensor 122 b has a field-of-view that is facing towardsbuilding 100 while the field-of-view of the image sensor of cameradevice 120 faces outward, away from building 100. In at least someexamples, it may be beneficial that the central axis of at least one ofthe auxiliary motion sensors is offset from a central axis of anintegrated motion sensor of camera device 120 by an angle of at least10°. As used herein, motion sensors may have different or differingfields-of-view based on different viewing angles of the motion sensorsand/or based on different view directions of the motion sensors. Forexample, a first motion sensor may have a field-of-view (e.g., a firstviewing angle) of 65° and may be oriented North. A second motion sensormay also have a field-of-view (e.g., a second viewing angle) of 65° butmay be oriented West. In the example, the two motion sensors may bedescribed as having “different fields-of-view” since the direction ofthe orientation of the two motion sensors is different.

In various examples, when an auxiliary motion sensor detects motion, theauxiliary motion sensor may send a signal to one or more camera deviceswith which the auxiliary motion sensor is associated. Various signaltransmission techniques are described in further detail below. In someexamples, camera device 120 may be configured such that camera device120 may initiate capture of image and/or video data upon determiningthat both an internal motion sensor of camera device 120 and one or moreauxiliary motion sensors have detected motion. Similarly, in variousexamples, camera device 120 may be configured such that camera device120 may initiate streaming of image data and/or video data upondetermining that both an internal motion sensor of camera device 120 andone or more auxiliary motion sensors have detected motion.

In at least some examples, camera device 120 may not include a motionsensor. In such examples, camera device 120 may be configured such thatcamera device 120 may initiate video capture and/or streaming upondetermining that one or more auxiliary motion sensors have detectedmotion. The number of motion sensors (auxiliary and/or integrated) thatare used to detect motion prior to initiation of video/image captureand/or streaming may be user configurable. For example, a user may set athreshold that detection of motion by each of the integrated motionsensor of camera device 120, the auxiliary motion sensor 122 b, and theauxiliary motion sensor 122 a within a predetermined and/or configurabletime period triggers the initiation of video/image capture and/orstreaming by camera device 120. In various examples, auxiliary motionsensors (e.g., motion sensor 122 a and/or 122 b) may generate timestampdata indicating a time at which motion has been detected by the sensors.Such timestamp data may be transmitted along with signals indicatingmotion to camera device 120. Camera device 120 may be effective toreceive the signals and may determine whether or not the motion detectedby the motion sensors is closely time-related (e.g., within 0.1 s or anyother suitable amount of time). If the auxiliary motion sensors 122 aand/or 122 b are determined to have detected closely time-related motionand the time is closely related to a time at which a motion sensor ofcamera device 120 has detected motion, camera device 120 may begincapturing video data, audio data, and/or image data. In some otherexamples, a user may set a threshold that an integrated motion sensor ofcamera device 120 and at least one of auxiliary motion sensor 122 a andauxiliary motion sensor 122 b have detected motion within apredetermined and/or configurable time period in order to initiatevideo/image capture and/or streaming by camera device 120.

In yet another example, camera device 120 may have an integrated motionsensor. Only a single auxiliary motion sensor (e.g., auxiliary motionsensor 122 a) may be used in conjunction with camera device 120. In suchan example, a user may configure the camera system such that both theintegrated motion sensor of camera device 120 and the auxiliary motionsensor 122 a detect motion during a predetermined and/or configurabletime period in order to initiate video/image capture and/or streaming bycamera device 120.

The various example systems described above may reduce power consumptionby camera device 120 and reduce the amount of “false positive” videocapture (e.g., video that represents motion that is unlikely to be ofinterest to a user). For example, as car 141 drives along the road infront of building 100, an integrated motion sensor of camera device 120may detect motion due to the movement of the car. However, because thefield-of-view of auxiliary motion sensor 122 a is not directed towardthe road, auxiliary motion sensor 122 a may not detect motion due to thepassing car 141. Camera device 120 may be configured such that theintegrated motion sensor of camera device 120 and the auxiliary motionsensor 122 a detect motion prior to capturing video data. As auxiliarymotion sensor 122 a has not been triggered (e.g., has not detectedmotion), auxiliary motion sensor 122 a will not send a signal to cameradevice 120 indicating motion. As such, camera device 120 may notinitiate video capture in the current example. Accordingly, the falsepositive scenario (e.g., video capture due to the passing car) has beenavoided, conserving battery power and avoiding the sending of anotification to a user alerting the user to motion that is unlikely tobe of interest (e.g., the movement of a car passing in front of building100).

In yet another example, as sunlight filters through the leaves of tree135 and the wind rustles the leaves of tree 135, an integrated motionsensor of camera device 120 may be triggered. In the current example,the field-of-view of auxiliary motion sensor 122 a may encompass a partof tree 135. Accordingly, auxiliary motion sensor 122 a may also betriggered by the movement of tree 135. However, auxiliary motion sensor122 b has a field-of-view that is directed away from tree 135. As such,auxiliary motion sensor 122 b may not be triggered by the movement ofthe tree 135. In the current example, camera device 120 may beconfigured such that the integrated motion sensor of camera device 120,auxiliary motion sensor 122 a, and the auxiliary motion sensor 122 beach detect motion prior to capturing video data. As auxiliary motionsensor 122 b has not been triggered (e.g., has not detected motion),auxiliary motion sensor 122 b will not send a signal to camera device120 indicating motion. As such, as camera device 120 has not received a“triggered” signal from the integrated motion sensor, auxiliary sensor122 a, and auxiliary sensor 122 b, camera device 120 may not initiatevideo capture. Accordingly, the false positive scenario (e.g., videocapture due to the wind blowing tree 135) has been avoided, conservingbattery power and avoiding the sending of a notification to a useralerting the user to motion that is unlikely to be of interest (e.g.,the wind blowing the leaves of a tree in front of building 100).

In another example, camera device 120 may be positioned so as to monitora portion of the interior of building 100. In the example, auxiliarymotion sensor 122 a may be positioned so as to have a field-of-view thatis substantially different from the field-of-view of camera device 120.However, the fields-of-view of camera device 120 and auxiliary motionsensor 122 a may both cover an area-of-interest within building 100. Inthe current example, camera device 120 may have an integrated PIR sensorand auxiliary motion sensory 122 a may be an auxiliary PIR sensor.Camera device 120 may be configured such that both the integrated PIRsensor and the auxiliary PIR sensor (e.g., sensor 122 a) are triggeredprior to initiating video capture and/or streaming by camera device 120.In the current example, a dog or other house pet may reside withinbuilding 100. Each time the dog passes within the area-of-interest thatis within the fields-of-view of both camera device 120 and auxiliarymotion sensor 122 a, the camera device may begin capturing and/orstreaming video. Accordingly, to avoid such a scenario, the auxiliarymotion sensor 122 a may be positioned such that the field-of-view ofauxiliary motion sensor 122 a has a lower boundary that is above theheight of the dog. For example, camera device 120 may be positioned inan upper corner of a room and angled downward. Auxiliary motion sensor122 a, by contrast, may be placed on a wall at a height that is abovethe height of the dog (e.g., 1 foot above the dog's height, or someother suitable distance above the dog's height) and angled upward suchthat the field-of-view of the auxiliary motion sensor 122 a is notlikely to capture the dog. Accordingly, when the dog passes through thearea-of-interest, the integrated PIR sensor of camera device 120 may betriggered, but the auxiliary PIR sensor (e.g., auxiliary motion sensor122 a) may not be triggered. Accordingly, the false positive scenario(e.g., video capture due to the passing dog) has been avoided,conserving battery power and avoiding the sending of a notification to auser alerting the user to motion that is unlikely to be of interest(e.g., the dog passing through the area-of-interest in building 100).

In at least some examples, a user may wish to keep camera device 120inside building 100, but may wish to monitor a portion of theenvironment outside of building 100. For example, camera device 120 maybe positioned to behind a window or other glass of building 100 tocapture image data of the front porch and/or walkway of building 100. Insome examples, a user may wish to keep camera device 120 inside building100 to prevent theft, vandalism, overheating due to direct sunlight,etc. In such an example, a PIR sensor of camera device 120 may beineffective to detect motion occurring outside of building 100 asvarious infrared signals (e.g., body heat of a human) may have awavelength that is blocked by glass. Accordingly, in such an example,one or more auxiliary motion sensors (e.g., auxiliary motion sensors 122a, 122 b) may be positioned outside and the system may be configured totrigger capture of image data by camera device 120 when one or more ofthe outdoor auxiliary motion sensors 122 a, 122 b detect motion.

In at least some examples, the number of motion sensors that detectmotion prior to initiation of video, image, and/or audio capture may bedifferent during different times of day and/or during different weatherconditions. For example, during morning hours (e.g., from 7 am to 11 am)the lighting conditions for a auxiliary motion sensor 122 a may be suchthat false positive triggering of the particular auxiliary motion sensor122 a is unlikely. Accordingly, a processor of the camera device may beoperable to determine that during the morning hours from 7 am to 11 am,video capture by an image sensor of camera device 120 may be triggeredbased on motion being detected by auxiliary motion sensor 122 a withoutrequiring motion to be detected by auxiliary motion sensor 122 b and/oran integrated motion sensor of camera device 120. In another example,during the evening hours (e.g., 5 pm to 8 pm) the lighting conditionsfor an integrated motion sensor of camera device 120 may be such thatfalse positive triggering of the integrated motion sensor is unlikely.Accordingly, a processor of the camera device 120 may be operable todetermine that during the evening hours from 5 pm to 8 pm, video captureby an image sensor of camera device 120 may be triggered based on motionbeing detected by the integrated motion sensor of camera device 120without requiring motion to be detected by any auxiliary motion sensors.In at least some examples, at least one processor of camera device 120and/or of video processing device 140 may determine particularconfigurations of motion sensors that are to be used to trigger videocapture during particular times of day based on lighting conditionsand/or based on the number of false positive motion events detected.

FIG. 2 depicts example fields-of-view of camera device 120 and auxiliarymotion sensor 122 a, in accordance with various aspects of the presentdisclosure. In FIG. 2, camera device 120 has a field-of-view 220. In theexample of FIG. 2, the fields-of-view of image sensor 250 and motionsensor 258 of camera device 120 may be substantially aligned such thatfield-of-view 220 represents the field-of-view of both the image sensor250 and motion sensor 258. Auxiliary motion sensor 122 a may have afield-of-view 222. As depicted in FIG. 2, the field-of-view 220 ofcamera device 120 and the field-of-view 222 of auxiliary motion sensor122 a may overlap at overlap region 230. In various examples, cameradevice 120 and auxiliary motion sensor 122 a may be positioned such thatoverlap region 230 covers an area-of-interest (e.g., an area that a userdesires to monitor with camera device 120).

Camera device 120 is described below. In various examples, camera device120 may include additional components apart from what is shown.Additionally, in various examples, one or more components of cameradevice 120 depicted in FIG. 2 may be omitted. Accordingly, the cameradevice 120 depicted in FIG. 2 is provided by way of example only. Invarious examples, camera device 120 may comprise an internet radio 240(e.g., a WiFi radio). In various examples, camera device 120 may useinternet radio 240 to send capture video data, image data, and/or audiodata (e.g., captured by microphone 259) to one or more other computingdevices for display, storage, and/or processing. For example, cameradevice 120 may use internet radio 240 to send video data to videoprocessing device 140. Video processing device 140 may, in turn, sendvideo data, image data, and/or audio data received from camera device120 to one or more other computing devices. For example, videoprocessing device 140 may send video data to a mobile device of a uservia base station 130 (depicted in FIG. 1).

Camera device 120 may further comprise one or more processors. Forexample, camera device may comprise processor 242. Additionally, cameradevice 120 may comprise a computer-readable non-transitory memory 244.In various examples, the memory 244 may store instructions that may beexecuted by the processor to cause the processor to be operable toperform one or more of the operations described herein. Camera device120 may comprise a battery 246. Battery 246 may be a lithium-ionbattery, a nickel cadmium battery, or any other suitable type ofbattery. In various other examples, camera device 120 may be powered viaan external power source. Camera device 120 may further comprise animage sensor 250 effective to capture image and video data. In variousexamples, image sensor 250 may be a complimentary metal oxidesemiconductor (CMOS) sensor or a charge-coupled device (CCD) imagesensor.

In various further examples, camera device 120 may comprise an infrared(IR) light source 252. IR light source 252 may be effective to emitinfrared light to allow camera device 120 to capture image data and/orvideo data in low ambient light conditions. In various examples, cameradevice 120 may comprise one or more signal processor(s) 254 effective toprocess image signals generated by the image sensor 250 and/or effectiveto process audio signals generated by microphone 259 and/or associatedaudio electronics of camera device 120. In some further examples, cameradevice 120 may comprise one or more encoders 256 effective to encodeimage data, video data, and/or audio data into various formats fortransmission, playback, and/or further processing. In some furtherexamples, camera device 120 may include a motion sensor 258. Motionsensor 258 may be a PIR sensor, a microwave sensor, an ultrasonic motionsensor, etc.

In at least some examples, camera device 120 may comprise a low-powerradio 248. In at least some examples, camera device 120 may uselow-power radio 248 to communicate with one or more auxiliary motionsensors (e.g., auxiliary motion sensors 122 a, 122 b, etc.). In variousexamples, low-power radio 248 may have a relatively short range (e.g.,<100 ft, <200 ft, <60 ft, etc.). Accordingly, low-power radio 248 mayuse one or more short-range wireless communication techniques to sendand/or receive signals. For example, low-power radio 248 may use asub-GHz frequency band, such as the 900 MHz or the 400 MHz band totransmit low-powered signals. In various other examples, low-power radio248 may be a Bluetooth® low energy (BLE) radio. Operation of low-powerradio 248 is described in further detail below. In various otherexamples, camera device 120 may comprise a different component otherthan low-power radio 248 for communicating with auxiliary motion sensor122 a. For example, an optical communication component, an audiocommunication component, and/or a wired communication link may be usedin various example embodiments.

Auxiliary motion sensor 122 a is described in further detail below. Invarious examples, auxiliary motion sensor 122 a may include additionalcomponents apart from what is shown. Additionally, in various examples,one or more components of auxiliary motion sensor 122 a depicted in FIG.2 may be omitted. Accordingly, the auxiliary motion sensor 122 adepicted in FIG. 2 is provided by way of example only.

Auxiliary motion sensor 122 a may comprise one or more processors 260, abattery 264, a motion sensor 262 (e.g., motion sensor electronics),and/or a low-powered radio 266. Although not depicted in FIG. 2, invarious examples, auxiliary motion sensor 122 a may comprise acomputer-readable non-transitory memory effective to store instructionsand/or other data. Battery 264 may be, for example, a lithium-ionbattery, a nickel cadmium battery, or any other suitable type ofbattery. As previously described, motion sensor 262 may be any suitabletype of motion sensor (e.g., a PIR sensor, microwave sensor, vibrationsensor, etc.) effective to detect motion within field-of-view 222 (andwithin overlap region 230).

Auxiliary motion sensor 122 a may comprise a low-power radio 266. In atleast some examples, auxiliary motion sensor 122 a may use low-powerradio 266 to communicate with low-power radio 248 of camera device 120.In various examples, low-power radio 266 may have a relatively shortrange (e.g., <100 ft, <200 ft, <60 ft, etc.). Accordingly, low-powerradio 266 may use one or more short-range wireless communicationtechniques to send and/or receive signals. For example, low-power radio266 may use a sub-GHz frequency band, such as the 900 MHz or the 400 MHzband to transmit low-powered signals. In various other examples,low-power radio 266 may be a Bluetooth® low energy (BLE) radio. Invarious other examples, auxiliary motion sensor 122 a may comprise adifferent component other than low-power radio 266 for communicatingwith camera device 120. For example, an optical communication component,an audio communication component, and/or a wired communication link maybe used in various example embodiments.

In various examples, when auxiliary motion sensor 122 a detects motion(e.g., when motion sensor 262 is triggered), processor 260 may beeffective to control low-power radio 266 to begin transmitting a signalindicating that auxiliary motion sensor 122 a is currently detectedmotion (e.g., that auxiliary motion sensor 122 a is currentlytriggered). Camera device 120 may receive the signal using low-powerradio 248. Upon receipt of the signal, camera device 120 may determinewhether motion sensor 258 is similarly triggered. In the currentexample, camera device 120 may be configured such that both motionsensor 258 and motion sensor 262 (of auxiliary motion sensor 122 a)detect motion prior to initiation of video capture by image sensor 250of camera device 120. Accordingly, when camera device 120 receives thesignal indicating that auxiliary motion sensor 122 a is triggered,camera device 120 may determine whether or not motion sensor 258 istriggered. In various examples, camera device 120 may first determinewhether or not motion sensor 258 is triggered and may then determinewhether a signal has been received indicating that auxiliary motionsensor 122 a is triggered. The order of motion detection between motionsensor 258 and motion sensor 262 may not be important. If motion sensor258 is triggered during a time period in which low-power radio 248 isreceiving a signal indicating that auxiliary motion sensor 122 a istriggered, processor 242 of camera device 120 may control the imagesensor 250 to begin capturing video data through a lens of camera device120.

In various examples, activating low-power radio 248 to determine whethera “triggered” signal is being transmitted by one or more auxiliarymotion sensors may consume power. Accordingly, there may be a desire tominimize the rate at which low-power radio 248 is activated (e.g.,powered) to detect/receive incoming signals in order to maximize batterylife. The rate at which low-power radio 248 is activated may sometimesbe referred to herein as an “activation rate”. Processor 242 mayactivate low-power radio 248 (or another communication component) bycontrolling low-power radio 248 to transition to an active receive stateor mode. There may also be an interest in reducing the latency between atime at which motion occurs in the physical environment monitored bycamera device 120 and a time at which camera device 120 begins capturingand/or streaming image data and/or video data in order to capture videoof events that may be of interest to a user. Accordingly, varioustechniques are described herein for balancing these competing interests.

In one example, camera device 120 may be configured to intermittentlyactivate low-power radio 248 at a first rate (e.g., every 0.25 s, 0.3 s,0.5 s, 0.7 s, 1 s, or any other suitable time period) at a firstactivation rate to detect incoming signals from auxiliary motionsensors. Additionally, in some examples, camera device 120 may activatelow-power radio 248 at a random and/or pseudorandom activation rate. Therate (e.g., the average time interval between consecutive activations ofthe low-power radio 248) may be tunable and may be configurable by auser, based on an acceptable level of latency for the user. The user maybe able to tune the latency through a companion application, a web-basedinterface, a physical interface on video processing device 140, orthrough some other interface. For example, the user may issue a commandto the camera device 120 through a companion application to reducelatency of image data capture. In response, a rate at which thelow-powered radio 248 is activated to detect wireless signals may beincreased. Additionally, in some examples, transmission by a triggeredauxiliary motion sensor (e.g., by low-power radio 266) may besynchronized with the activation of low-power radio 248.

Upon detection of motion, an auxiliary motion sensor may begintransmitting a signal indicating that the auxiliary motion sensor hasdetected motion. Thereafter, camera device 120 may receive the signaltransmitted by the auxiliary motion sensor when camera device 120 nextactivates its low-power radio 248. Accordingly, the maximum latency forinitiation of video/image/audio capture should be equal to theactivation period of the camera device 120's low-power radio 248.However, in some examples, to further reduce latency, camera device 120may increase the activation rate of low-power radio 248 during a timeperiod over which integrated motion sensor (e.g., motion sensor 258) ofcamera device 120 detects motion. The increased activation rate oflow-power radio 248 may occur for a set amount of time (e.g., for 1second, 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 0.5 seconds, etc.) or may occur for theduration of the time period during which integrated motion sensor 258detects motion in the environment.

For example, prior to detection of motion, camera device 120 may power(e.g., activate) low-power radio 248 every 0.5 s. At time t=0, cameradevice 120 may power low-power radio. However, in the example, at timet=0, no signal from any auxiliary motion sensors may have been detected.Additionally, at time t=0 integrated motion sensor 258 may not detectany motion. Thereafter, at time t=0.15 s, integrated motion sensor 258may detect motion. Similarly, at time t=0.15 s, motion sensor 262 ofauxiliary motion sensor 122 a may detect motion. In the example,auxiliary motion sensor 122 a may power low-power radio 266 and maybegin transmitting a signal indicating that auxiliary motion sensor 122a is triggered. Normally, camera device 120 would not power low-powerradio 248 again until time t=0.5 s. However, because integrated motionsensor 258 has detected motion, processor 242 of camera device 120 mayincrease the rate at which low-power radio 248 is powered. For example,while motion sensor 258 detects motion, processor 242 may powerlow-power radio 248 every 0.1 s. Accordingly, low-power radio 248 may bepowered at time t=0.25 s and may detect the triggered signal sent bylow-power radio 266. Processor 242 may determine that both integratedmotion sensor 258 and auxiliary motion sensor 122 a have detectedmotion. Accordingly, processor 242 may control image sensor 250 to begincapturing image data and/or video data. Additionally, processor 242 maypower audio electronics to begin capturing audio data. As described,using the above techniques, the latency between the time at which themotion sensors detect motion and the initiation of video/audio captureand/or streaming is significantly reduced. Additionally, powerconsumption of is conserved using the techniques described above,resulting in both low latency of video capture and increased batterylife, for both camera device 120 and auxiliary motion sensor 122 a.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example architecture 300 of adevice, such as video processing device 140, camera device 120,auxiliary motion sensor 122 a, and/or other devices described herein. Itwill be appreciated that not all devices will include all of thecomponents of the architecture 300 and some user devices may includeadditional components not shown in the architecture 300. Thearchitecture 300 may include one or more processing elements 304 forexecuting instructions and retrieving data stored in a storage element302. The processing element 304 may comprise at least one processor. Anysuitable processor or processors may be used. For example, theprocessing element 304 may comprise one or more digital signalprocessors (DSPs). The storage element 302 can include one or moredifferent types of memory, data storage, or computer-readable storagemedia devoted to different purposes within the architecture 300. Forexample, the storage element 302 may comprise flash memory,random-access memory, disk-based storage, etc. Different portions of thestorage element 302, for example, may be used for program instructionsfor execution by the processing element 304, storage of images or otherdigital works, and/or a removable storage for transferring data to otherdevices, etc.

The storage element 302 may also store software for execution by theprocessing element 304. An operating system 322 may provide the userwith an interface for operating the user device and may facilitatecommunications and commands between applications executing on thearchitecture 300 and various hardware thereof. A transfer application324 may be configured to send and/or receive image and/or video data toand/or from other devices (e.g., between one or more camera device 120and video processing device 140 and/or between the camera device 120and/or video processing device 140 and one or more remotely locatedcomputing devices). In some examples, the transfer application 324 mayalso be configured to upload the received images to another device thatmay perform processing as described herein (e.g., a mobile device oranother computing device). Additionally, the transfer application 324may be configured to send alerts and/or notifications to one or moremobile computing devices associated with the camera system depicted inFIG. 1. For example, an alert may be sent to a mobile device of a personassociated with building 100 when one or more camera devices 120 and/orauxiliary motion sensors 122 a, 122 b, etc., have detected motion. Thealert and/or notification may provide an option for a live stream ofvideo and/or a portion of recorded video captured by one or more cameradevices 120 that have detected motion.

In various examples, storage element 302 may store motion detectionlogic 352. Motion detection logic 352 may control initiation of videodata capture, audio data capture, image data capture, and/or streamingof video data, image data, and/or audio data. In some examples, motiondetection logic 352 may be hardwired (e.g., in an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC)), while in other examples, motion detectionlogic 352 may be configurable either through computer executableinstructions executed by processing element 304, a programmable circuit(e.g., a field-programmable gate array (FPGA)) or some combinationthereof. In various examples, motion detection logic 352 may controlwhich motion sensors are used to trigger the initiation of videocapture, image capture, and/or audio capture, and/or of streaming video,audio, and/or image data. For example, a logical AND operation may beused to initiate streaming when both an integrated motion sensor and anauxiliary motion sensor detect motion.

When implemented in some user devices, the architecture 300 may alsocomprise a display component 306. The display component 306 may compriseone or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or other suitable displaylamps. Also, in some examples, the display component 306 may comprise,for example, one or more devices such as cathode ray tubes (CRTs),liquid-crystal display (LCD) screens, gas plasma-based flat paneldisplays, LCD projectors, raster projectors, infrared projectors orother types of display devices, etc.

The architecture 300 may also include one or more input devices 308operable to receive inputs from a user. The input devices 308 caninclude, for example, a push button, touch pad, touch screen, wheel,joystick, keyboard, mouse, trackball, keypad, light gun, gamecontroller, or any other such device or element whereby a user canprovide inputs to the architecture 300. These input devices 308 may beincorporated into the architecture 300 or operably coupled to thearchitecture 300 via wired or wireless interface. In some examples,architecture 300 may include a microphone 370 for capturing sounds, suchas voice commands, and/or audio data (e.g., microphone 259 depicted inFIG. 2). Voice recognition engine 390 may interpret audio signals ofsound captured by microphone 370. In some examples, voice recognitionengine 390 may listen for a “wake word” to be received by microphone370. Upon receipt of the wake word, voice recognition engine 390 maystream audio to a voice recognition server for analysis. In variousexamples, voice recognition engine 390 may stream audio to externalcomputing devices via communication interface 312.

When the display component 306 includes a touch-sensitive display, theinput devices 308 can include a touch sensor that operates inconjunction with the display component 306 to permit users to interactwith the image displayed by the display component 306 using touch inputs(e.g., with a finger or stylus). The architecture 300 may also include apower supply 314, such as a wired alternating current (AC) converter, arechargeable battery operable to be recharged through conventionalplug-in approaches, or through other approaches such as capacitive orinductive charging.

The communication interface 312 may comprise one or more wired orwireless components operable to communicate with one or more other userdevices. For example, the communication interface 312 may comprise awireless communication module 336 configured to communicate on a networkaccording to any suitable wireless protocol, such as IEEE 802.11 oranother suitable wireless local area network (WLAN) protocol. A shortrange interface 334 may be configured to communicate using one or moreshort range wireless protocols such as, for example, near fieldcommunication (NFC), Bluetooth, BLE, etc. A mobile interface 340 may beconfigured to communicate utilizing a cellular or other mobile protocol.A Global Positioning System (GPS) interface 338 may be in communicationwith one or more earth-orbiting satellites or other suitableposition-determining systems to identify a position of the architecture300. A wired communication module 342 may be configured to communicateaccording to the USB protocol or any other suitable protocol.

The architecture 300 may also include one or more sensors 330 such as,for example, one or more position sensors, image sensors, and/or motionsensors. An image sensor 332 is shown in FIG. 3. In various examples,the camera device 120 described above in reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 mayinclude one or more image sensors (e.g., image sensor 250 in FIG. 2).Some examples of the architecture 300 may include multiple image sensors332. For example, a panoramic camera system may comprise multiple imagesensors 332 resulting in multiple images and/or video frames that may bestitched and may be blended to form a seamless panoramic output.

Motion sensors may include any sensors that sense motion of thearchitecture including, for example, gyro sensors 344, PIR sensors 380,and accelerometers 346. Motion sensors, in some examples, may be used todetermine an orientation, such as a pitch angle and/or a roll angle of acamera. The gyro sensor 344 may be configured to generate a signalindicating rotational motion and/or changes in orientation of thearchitecture (e.g., a magnitude and/or direction of the motion or changein orientation). Any suitable gyro sensor may be used including, forexample, ring laser gyros, fiber-optic gyros, fluid gyros, vibrationgyros, etc. The accelerometer 346 may generate a signal indicating anacceleration (e.g., a magnitude and/or direction of acceleration). Anysuitable accelerometer may be used including, for example, apiezoresistive accelerometer, a capacitive accelerometer, etc. In someexamples, the GPS interface 338 may be utilized as a motion sensor. Forexample, changes in the position of the architecture 300, as determinedby the GPS interface 338, may indicate the motion of the GPS interface338.

FIG. 4 depicts an example process 400 that may be used to determinewhether to initiate capture of video data, image data, and/or audiodata, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.The actions of the process 400 may represent a series of instructionscomprising computer readable machine code executable by a processingunit of a computing device, such as by processor 242 of camera device120. In various examples, the computer readable machine codes may becomprised of instructions selected from a native instruction set of thecomputing device and/or an operating system of the computing device.

Process 400 may begin at action 402, “Monitor area-of-interest withintegrated motion sensor of camera device”. At action 402, an integratedmotion sensor (e.g., a motion sensor within a housing of a cameradevice) may be used to monitor an area-of-interest to detect motion inthe area-of-interest. For example, a camera device such as camera device120 may be positioned by a user so as to monitor an entranceway into theuser's home. Accordingly, a field-of-view of a motion sensor of thecamera device 120 may monitor the entranceway into the user's home.

Process 400 may continue from action 402 to action 404, “Detect motionwith integrated motion sensor”. At action 404, motion may be detected bythe integrated motion sensor of the camera device. For example, a personmay walk through the entranceway to the user's home. The integratedmotion sensor of the camera device may detect the movement of theperson. In another example, a plant within the field-of-view of themotion sensor may be blown by wind. The integrated motion sensor of thecamera device may detect the movement of the plant.

Process 400 may continue from action 404 to action 406 at which adetermination may be made by the camera device (or some other computingdevice) whether motion has been detected at an auxiliary sensor.Accordingly, as described above, the camera device (e.g., camera device120) may supply power to a short-range wireless communication radio todetermine whether an auxiliary motion sensor is transmitting a signalindicating that motion has been detected. As previously described, thecamera device may periodically or semi-periodically power theshort-range wireless communication radio. Upon detection of motion thecamera device may increase the rate at which the short-range wirelesscommunication radio is powered.

If a determination is made at action 406 that no motion has beendetected by the auxiliary sensor (e.g., because no signal has beenreceived from the auxiliary motion sensor), processing may return toaction 402. However, if at action 406 motion is detected by theauxiliary motion sensor, the auxiliary motion sensor may be configuredto transmit a signal indicating that the auxiliary motion sensor hasdetected motion within a field-of-view of the auxiliary motion sensor.In various examples, the field-of-view of the auxiliary motion sensormay differ from the field-of-view of the integrated motion sensor of thecamera device in order to prevent insignificant motion from triggeringvideo, image, and/or audio capture. However, the field-of-view of theauxiliary motion sensor may also monitor all or a portion of thearea-of-interest (e.g., the entranceway to the user's home, in the aboveexample). The camera device may detect the transmitted data signalindicative of motion sent by the auxiliary motion sensor using ashort-range wireless communication radio of the camera device. In atleast some examples, the camera device may be operable to determinewhether the data signal indicating motion received from the auxiliarymotion sensor corresponds to data indicative of motion generated by theintegrated motion sensor of the camera device. For example, the datasignal indicative of motion may include a timestamp or other dataindicating a time at which the auxiliary motion sensor detected motion.In some examples, the camera device may determine whether the auxiliarymotion sensor detected motion at a time at which the integrated motionsensor of the camera device has also detected motion. In some examples,this determination may be made using timestamp data. In other examples,the camera device may determine, upon receipt of a data signalindicative of motion from the auxiliary motion sensor, whether theintegrated motion sensor is currently, or has recently (e.g., within 0.1s, or some other suitable timespan) detected motion in thearea-of-interest. In other words, the camera device may determinewhether data indicative of motion received from an auxiliary motionsensor temporally corresponds to data indicative of motion detected byan integrated motion sensor (or by another auxiliary motion sensor). Insome examples, temporal correspondence may indicate that motion has beendetected by at least two motion sensors at the same time, during thesame timeframe, and/or within a threshold amount of time of each other.In various examples, temporal correspondence may be determined based ontimestamp data included with signals indicative of detected motion. Invarious other examples, a camera device may determine whether signaldata indicative of motion detected by an auxiliary motion sensor isreceived at a time at which an integrated motion sensor of the cameradevice is currently detecting motion (e.g., a Boolean AND operation) inorder to determine temporal correspondence between the indications ofmotion.

In the current example, if both the integrated motion sensor and theauxiliary motion sensor have detected motion, processing may continue toaction 408, “Capture video data, image data, and/or audio data”. Ataction 408, electronics of the camera device may be powered such thatthe camera device begins capturing, storing, processing, and/orstreaming video data, image data, and/or audio data. For example, animage sensor of the camera device and/or audio electronics of the cameradevice may be powered at action 408.

Although in the examples above, the integrated motion sensor firstdetects motion followed by the auxiliary motion sensor, it should beappreciated that in various examples, the auxiliary motion sensor mayfirst detect motion followed by the integrated motion sensor.Additionally, motion may be detected by the integrated and auxiliarymotion sensors at approximately the same moment in time.

FIG. 5 depicts an example process 500 that may be used to determinewhether to initiate capture of video data, image data, and/or audiodata, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.The actions of the process 500 may represent a series of instructionscomprising computer readable machine code executable by a processingunit of a computing device, such as by processor 242 of camera device120. In various examples, the computer readable machine codes may becomprised of instructions selected from a native instruction set of thecomputing device and/or an operating system of the computing device. Inthe example process 500, the motion detected by an integrated motionsensor of a camera device is corroborated by two auxiliary motionsensors. It should be appreciated that any number of motion sensors maybe used in accordance with the present disclosure. Additionally, inexamples where multiple motion sensors are used, camera devices may beconfigured such that less than all of the motion sensors detect motionin order to trigger initiation of video, audio, image data capture. Forexample, a system may include a camera device with an integrated motionsensor and two auxiliary motion sensors. The camera device may beconfigured to initiate video capture when any two of the three motionsensors have detected motion. In another example configuration, thecamera device may be configured to initiate video capture when all threemotion sensors detect motion, etc.

Process 500 may begin at action 502, “Monitor area-of-interest withintegrated motion sensor of camera device”. At action 502, an integratedmotion sensor (e.g., a motion sensor within a housing of a cameradevice) may be used to monitor an area-of-interest to detect motion inthe area-of-interest. For example, a camera device such as camera device120 may be positioned by a user so as to monitor an entranceway into theuser's home. Accordingly, a field-of-view of a motion sensor of thecamera device 120 may monitor the entranceway into the user's home.

Process 500 may continue from action 502 to action 504, “Detect motionwith integrated motion sensor”. At action 504, motion may be detected bythe integrated motion sensor of the camera device. For example, a personmay walk through the entranceway to the user's home. The integratedmotion sensor of the camera device may detect the movement of theperson. In another example, a plant within the field-of-view of themotion sensor may be blown by wind. The integrated motion sensor of thecamera device may detect the movement of the plant.

Process 500 may continue from action 504 to action 506 at which adetermination may be made by the camera device (or some other computingdevice) whether motion has been detected at a first auxiliary sensor.Accordingly, as described above, the camera device (e.g., camera device120) may supply power to a short-range wireless communication radio todetermine whether a first auxiliary motion sensor is transmitting asignal indicating that motion has been detected. As previouslydescribed, the camera device may periodically or semi-periodically powerthe short-range wireless communication radio. Upon detection of motionthe camera device may increase the rate at which the short-rangewireless communication radio is powered.

If a determination is made at action 506 that no motion has beendetected by the first auxiliary sensor (e.g., because no signal has beenreceived from the first auxiliary motion sensor), processing may returnto action 502. If a determination is made at action 506 that motion hasbeen detected by the first auxiliary sensor, processing may continue toaction 508.

At action 508, a determination may be made whether motion has beendetected at a second auxiliary sensor. Accordingly, as described above,the camera device (e.g., camera device 120) may supply power to ashort-range wireless communication radio to determine whether a secondauxiliary motion sensor is transmitting a signal indicating that motionhas been detected. As previously described, the camera device mayperiodically or semi-periodically power the short-range wirelesscommunication radio. Upon detection of motion the camera device mayincrease the rate at which the short-range wireless communication radiois powered.

Although in the examples above, the integrated motion sensor firstdetects motion followed by the first and second auxiliary motionsensors, it should be appreciated that in various examples, motion maybe detected by the various sensors in any order to trigger capture ofvideo, audio and/or image data at action 510. For example, the firstand/or second auxiliary motion sensors may first detect motion followedby the integrated motion sensor. Additionally, motion may be detected bythe integrated and auxiliary motion sensors at approximately the samemoment in time.

In the current example, if a determination is made at action 508 that nomotion has been detected by the second auxiliary sensor (e.g., becauseno signal has been received from the second auxiliary motion sensor),processing may return to action 502. However, if the integrated motionsensor, the first auxiliary motion sensor, and the second auxiliarymotion sensor have detected motion, processing may continue to action510, “Capture video data, image data, and/or audio data”. At action 510,electronics of the camera device may be powered such that the cameradevice begins capturing, storing, processing, and/or streaming videodata, image data, and/or audio data. For example, an image sensor of thecamera device and/or audio electronics of the camera device may bepowered at action 510.

FIG. 6 depicts an example process 600 that may be used to control ashort-range wireless communication radio of a camera device, inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The actions ofthe process 600 may represent a series of instructions comprisingcomputer readable machine code executable by a processing unit of acomputing device, such as by processor 242 of camera device 120. Invarious examples, the computer readable machine codes may be comprisedof instructions selected from a native instruction set of the computingdevice and/or an operating system of the computing device.

Process 600 may begin at action 602, “Monitor area-of-interest withintegrated motion sensor of camera device”. At action 602, an integratedmotion sensor (e.g., a motion sensor within a housing of a cameradevice) may be used to monitor an area-of-interest to detect motion inthe area-of-interest. For example, a camera device such as camera device120 may be positioned by a user so as to monitor an entranceway into theuser's home. Accordingly, a field-of-view of a motion sensor of thecamera device 120 may monitor the entranceway into the user's home.

Process 600 may continue from action 602 to action 604, “Activateshort-range wireless communication radio at first rate”. At action 604,a processor of the camera device may control the activation of ashort-range wireless communication radio (e.g., low-power radio 248) todetect wireless signals at a first activation rate. In some examples,the processor may be effective to activate the short-range wirelesscommunication radio at a default rate. In other examples, a user of thecamera device may program the rate. In various examples, the firstactivation may comprise activating the short-range wirelesscommunication radio every 0.5 s, every 0.25 s, every 0.15 s, or anyother suitable amount of time (e.g., pseudo-randomly).

Process 600 may continue from action 604 to action 606, at which adetermination may be made whether motion has been detected by anintegrated motion sensor of the camera device. If no motion has beendetected by an integrated motion sensor of the camera device, process600 may return to action 602. If motion has been detected by theintegrated motion sensor of the camera device, process 600 may continuefrom action 606 to action 608, “Activate short-range wirelesscommunication radio at second rate”. In various examples, the secondactivation rate may be greater than the first activation rate. In otherwords, the processor of the camera device may increase a rate ofactivation of the short-range wireless communication radio to check moreoften to determine whether or not one or more auxiliary motion sensorsare transmitting signals indicating that the auxiliary motion sensorshave also detected motion. As shown in FIG. 6, the short-range wirelesscommunication radio may be activated at the second rate while motion isdetected at the integrated motion sensor. In at least some otherexamples, the short-range wireless communication radio may be activatedat the second rate for a particular amount of time (e.g., 2 seconds, 5seconds, or any other suitable amount of time).

Among other potential benefits, a system in accordance with the presentdisclosure may conserve power consumption by reducing video capture,image capture, and/or streaming from wireless camera devices resultingfrom insignificant motion that is unlikely to be of interest to a user.For example, detection of motion by a motion sensor of a battery-poweredcamera device may be used to trigger video capture by the camera device.However, as described herein, motion sensors may be triggered byinsignificant motion, such as ceiling fans, pets, wind blowing variousobjects, passing cars, etc. Accordingly, the battery of abattery-powered camera device may be drained at an increased rate due tocapture of such insignificant events. Additionally, unwantednotifications may be sent to a user of the camera system related to theinsignificant motion triggers. Accordingly, as described herein, one ormore auxiliary motion sensors with differing fields-of-view relative toone another and/or relative to an integrated motion sensor of a cameradevice may be used to reduce unwanted video capture and/or streaming.The techniques described herein may result in significantly longerbattery life of wireless camera devices.

Additionally, various techniques are described herein to minimize powerconsumption of camera devices while also minimizing the latency betweena time at which motion is detected and a time at which capture of videodata and/or image data by an image sensor of the camera device isinitiated. For example, a low-powered radio of a camera device maynormally be powered at a first rate to detect signals indicating motionthat are transmitted by one or more auxiliary motion sensors. However,upon detection of motion by an integrated motion sensor of the cameradevice and/or by a first auxiliary motion sensor, the camera device mayincrease the first rate (i.e., the camera device may power thelow-powered radio more often) to detect signals from one or moreauxiliary motion sensors. By increasing the rate at which thelow-powered radio is activated when motion has been detected by a firstmotion sensor, the increase in power consumption may be limited to thosetimes at which motion has been detected. Further, by increasing the rateat which the low-powered radio is activated when motion has beendetected by a first motion sensor, latency of video capture, audiocapture, and/or image capture may be reduced.

As set forth above, certain methods or process blocks may be omitted insome implementations. The methods and processes described herein arealso not limited to any particular sequence, and the blocks or statesrelating thereto can be performed in other sequences that areappropriate. For example, described blocks or states may be performed inan order other than that specifically disclosed, or multiple blocks orstates may be combined in a single block or state. The example blocks orstates may be performed in serial, in parallel or in some other manner.Blocks or states may be added to or removed from the disclosed exampleembodiments.

It will also be appreciated that various items may be stored in memoryor on storage while being used, and that these items or portions thereofmay be transferred between memory and other storage devices for purposesof memory management and data integrity. Alternatively, in otherembodiments some or all of the software modules and/or systems mayexecute in memory on another device and communicate with the illustratedcomputing systems via inter-computer communication. Furthermore, in someembodiments, some or all of the systems and/or modules may beimplemented or provided in other ways, such as at least partially infirmware and/or hardware, including, but not limited to, one or moreapplication-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), standard integratedcircuits, controllers (e.g., by executing appropriate instructions, andincluding microcontrollers and/or embedded controllers),field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), complex programmable logicdevices (CPLDs), etc. Some or all of the modules, systems and datastructures may also be stored (e.g., as software instructions orstructured data) on a computer-readable medium, such as a hard disk, amemory, a network or a portable media article to be read by anappropriate drive or via an appropriate connection. The systems, modulesand data structures may also be sent as generated data signals (e.g., aspart of a carrier wave or other analog or digital propagated signal) ona variety of computer-readable transmission media, includingwireless-based and wired/cable-based media, and may take a variety offorms (e.g., as part of a single or multiplexed analog signal, or asmultiple discrete digital packets or frames). Such computer programproducts may also take other forms in other embodiments. Accordingly,the present invention may be practiced with other computer systemconfigurations.

Although the flowcharts and methods described herein may describe aspecific order of execution, it is understood that the order ofexecution may differ from that which is described. For example, theorder of execution of two or more blocks or steps may be scrambledrelative to the order described. Also, two or more blocks or steps maybe executed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Further, in someembodiments, one or more of the blocks or steps may be skipped oromitted. It is understood that all such variations are within the scopeof the present disclosure.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of thepresent disclosure are merely possible examples of implementations setforth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure.Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-describedembodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit andprinciples of the disclosure. The various features and processesdescribed above may be used independently of one another, or may becombined in various ways. All possible combinations and subcombinationsare intended to fall within the scope of this disclosure.

In addition, conditional language, such as, among others, “can,”“could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, orotherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intendedto convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments donot include, certain features, elements and/or steps.

Although this disclosure has been described in terms of certain exampleembodiments and applications, other embodiments and applications thatare apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, includingembodiments and applications that do not provide all of the benefitsdescribed herein, are also within the scope of this disclosure. Thescope of the inventions is defined only by the claims, which areintended to be construed without reference to any definitions that maybe explicitly or implicitly included in any incorporated-by-referencematerials.

What is claimed is:
 1. A security system comprising: a camera includinga first passive infrared (PIR) sensor and an image sensor, the imagesensor having a first field-of-view (FOV) and the first PIR sensorhaving a second FOV; a second PIR sensor separate from the camera, thesecond PIR sensor having a third FOV different from the second FOV,wherein the third FOV partially overlaps with the second FOV; and atleast one processor communicatively coupled to the camera and the secondPIR sensor, wherein the at least one processor is operable to: determinethat the first PIR sensor detects motion during a first timeframe;determine that the second PIR sensor does not detect motion during thefirst timeframe; determine that the first PIR sensor detects motionduring a second timeframe; determine that the second PIR sensor detectsmotion during the second timeframe; activate the image sensor to capturevideo data in response to the determining that the first PIR sensordetects motion during the second timeframe and the determining that thesecond PIR sensor detects motion during the second timeframe; determinethat the first PIR sensor detects motion during a predetermined firsttime of day; determine that, during the predetermined first time of day,activation of the image sensor to capture second video data is triggeredby detection of motion by the first PIR sensor while the second PIRsensor is not detecting motion; and activate the image sensor to capturethe second video data in response to the first PIR sensor detectingmotion during the first time of day.
 2. The security system of claim 1,wherein the at least one processor is further operable to: prior to thefirst timeframe, activating a short-range wireless communication radioof the camera to receive wireless signals from the second PIR sensor ata first activation rate; and in response to the first PIR sensordetecting motion during the first timeframe, activating the short-rangewireless communication radio at a second activation rate greater thanthe first activation rate, wherein the short-range wirelesscommunication radio is activated at the second activation rate for aduration of a time period over which the motion is detected by the firstPIR sensor.
 3. A method of operating a camera, comprising: receivingfirst data indicative of motion from a first motion sensor, wherein thefirst motion sensor has a first field-of-view; receiving, from a secondmotion sensor, second data indicative of motion, wherein the secondmotion sensor has a second field-of-view different than the firstfield-of-view; determining that the first data indicative of motiontemporally corresponds to the second data indicative of motion; inresponse to the determining that the first data indicative of motiontemporally corresponds to the second data indicative of motion,capturing first image data by an image sensor of the camera; determiningthat the first motion sensor detects motion during a predetermined firsttime of day; determining that, during the predetermined first time ofday, activation of the image sensor to capture second image data istriggered by detection of motion by the first motion sensor while thesecond motion sensor is not detecting motion; and activating the imagesensor to capture the second image data based at least in part on thefirst motion sensor detecting motion during the first time of day. 4.The method of claim 3, further comprising: receiving, at a first timeafter capturing the first image data, third data indicative of motionfrom the first motion sensor; determining that no signal has beenreceived from the second motion sensor at the first time; and inresponse to the determining that no signal has been received from thesecond motion sensor at the first time, maintaining the image sensor ofthe camera in an inactive state such that image data is not captured bythe image sensor.
 5. The method of claim 3, further comprising: prior tothe receiving the first data indicative of motion, intermittentlyactivating a short-range wireless communication radio of the camera toreceive wireless signals from the second PIR sensor at a first rate; andin response to receiving the first data indicative of motion,intermittently activating the short-range wireless communication radioto receive wireless signals from the second PIR sensor at a second rate,wherein the second rate is greater than the first rate, wherein thesecond data indicative of motion is received by the short-range wirelesscommunication radio while the short-range wireless communication radiois being activated at the second rate, and wherein the capturing thefirst image data by the image sensor is based at least in part on thefirst data indicative of motion and the second data indicative ofmotion.
 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising intermittentlyactivating the short-range wireless communication radio at the secondrate until at least one of: the first motion sensor no longer detectsany motion or the second data indicative of motion is received.
 7. Themethod of claim 5, further comprising: intermittently activating theshort-range wireless communication radio at the second rate for a firstamount of time; and after the first amount of time has elapsed,intermittently activating the short-range wireless communication radioof the camera at the first rate.
 8. The method of claim 3, furthercomprising: receiving, at a first time after capturing the first imagedata, third data indicative of motion from the first motion sensor;determining, by the camera, that no signal has been received from thesecond motion sensor at the first time; receiving, by the camera from athird motion sensor, fourth data indicative of motion, wherein the thirdmotion sensor has a third field-of-view different from and overlappingwith the first field-of-view and the second field-of-view; andcapturing, in response to the third data and the fourth data, secondimage data by the image sensor of the camera.
 9. The method of claim 3,further comprising, prior to the receiving the first data indicative ofmotion: intermittently activating a short-range wireless communicationradio of the camera at a first rate; receiving a command effective toreduce a latency of image data capture upon detection of motion; andintermittently activating the short-range wireless communication radioof the camera at a second rate, wherein the second rate is greater thanthe first rate.
 10. The method of claim 3, further comprisingsynchronizing a first rate at which the second data is sent by thesecond motion sensor with a second rate at which a radio of the camerais activated to detect wireless signals.
 11. A system comprising: afirst motion sensor having a first field-of-view; a second motion sensorhaving a second field-of-view different than the first field-of-view;and a camera comprising an image sensor, the camera effective to:receive, from the first motion sensor, a first data indicative ofmotion; receive, from the second motion sensor, second data indicativeof motion; determine that the first data indicative of motion temporallycorresponds to the second data indicative of motion; capture first imagedata by the image sensor; determine that the first motion sensor detectsmotion during a predetermined first time of day; determine that, duringthe predetermined first time of day, activation of the image sensor tocapture second image data is triggered by detection of motion by thefirst motion sensor while the second motion sensor is not detectingmotion; and activate the image sensor to capture second image data basedat least in part on the first motion sensor detecting motion during thefirst time of day.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the first motionsensor is integrated within a housing of the camera, and wherein thesecond motion sensor is configured in communication with the camera viaa short-range wireless communication radio.
 13. The system of claim 11,wherein the camera is further effective to: receive, at a first timeafter capturing the first image data, third data indicative of motionfrom the first motion sensor; and determine that no signal has beenreceived from the second motion sensor at the first time; and inresponse to the determining that no signal has been received from thesecond motion sensor at the first time, maintain the image sensor in aninactive state such that image data is not captured by the image sensor.14. The system of claim 11, wherein the camera is further effective to:prior to receiving the first data indicative of motion, intermittentlyactivating a short-range wireless communication radio of the camera at afirst rate; and in response to receiving the first data indicative ofmotion, intermittently activating the short-range wireless communicationradio at a second rate, wherein the second rate is greater than thefirst rate, wherein the second data indicative of motion is received bythe short-range wireless communication radio from the second motionsensor while the short-range wireless communication radio is beingactivated at the second rate, and wherein the capturing the first imagedata by the image sensor is based at least in part on the first dataindicative of motion and the second data indicative of motion.
 15. Thesystem of claim 14, wherein the camera is further effective tointermittently activate the short-range wireless communication radio atthe second rate until at least one of: the first motion sensor no longerdetects any motion or the second data indicative of motion is received.16. The system of claim 14, wherein the camera is further effective to:intermittently activate the short-range wireless communication radio atthe second rate for a first amount of time; and after the first amountof time has elapsed, intermittently activate the short-range wirelesscommunication radio at the first rate.
 17. The system of claim 11,further comprising a third motion sensor having a third field-of-viewdifferent from and overlapping with the first field-of-view and thesecond field-of-view, wherein the camera is further effective to:receive, at a first time after capturing the first image data, thirddata indicative of motion from the first motion sensor; determine thatno signal has been received from the second motion sensor at the firsttime; receive, from the third motion sensor, fourth data indicative ofmotion; and capture, in response to the third data and the fourth data,second image data by the image sensor.